Andrii Slonchak is a passionate underwater photographer and research scientist by day based in Brisbane, Australia. He was previously featured by Ikelite in 2024 and decided to submit again after returning from Komodo National Park with a new collection of images from some of the most spectacular reefs he has photographed.
His favourite sites were Batu Bolong, Crystal Rock and Castle Rock. Their combination of dramatic reef structure, dense fish life, strong currents and exceptional visibility made them ideal for the wide-angle reef photography he increasingly enjoys. Komodo also gave him the opportunity to photograph healthy coral reefs on a scale very different from his regular local diving around Brisbane.
Melanistic Manta Ray. Mawan dive site, Komodo. © Andrii Slonchak
Andrii has been an Ikelite customer throughout his entire underwater photography journey. He currently shoots a Canon EOS R7 with a Canon EF 8-15mm fisheye lens in an Ikelite housing, paired with dual Ikelite DS230 strobes. This setup has become central to his approach to wide-angle photography, particularly for reefscapes, schooling fish and larger marine animals.
Batu Bolong - clouds of anthias. © Andrii Slonchak
Since taking underwater photography seriously in 2021, Andrii has logged more than 500 dives. Most are at his regular dive sites around North Stradbroke Island, the Tweed Coast and Moreton Bay, with longer international or Australian dive trips a couple of times each year.
His photography has received recognition at the Underwater Awards Australasia. In 2024, he won the Silver Award in the Conservation category, sponsored by Ikelite, and in 2025 he received an Honourable Mention at the same competition.
Tatawa Kecil - Soft coral explosion! © Andrii Slonchak
Outside diving, Andrii works full-time as a research scientist at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, studying viruses. Photography provides a very different creative outlet, and he shares his underwater work with more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, where his images and videos have accumulated millions of views.
Between the walls (Batu Bolong). © Andrii Slonchak
His next goal is to broaden the range of environments he photographs. After recently buying a drysuit, he is preparing to take his Ikelite system into colder waters and explore a new side of underwater photography.
Snappers of Tatawa Besar. © Andrii Slonchak
The incredible diversity of corals, Glo West dive site, Komodo. © Andrii Slonchak
Sponge forest of the deep. Castle Rock dive site. © Andrii Slonchak
It's a school day at Crystal Rock. © Andrii Slonchak
Tube sponges and glass fish, Glo West dive site, Komodo. © Andrii Slonchak
Andrii's Gear
- Canon EOS R7
- 200DLM/D Underwater Housing for Canon EOS R7
- Canon EF 8-15mm Fisheye Lens with EF-RF Adapter
- Ikelite DS230 Strobes
Additional Viewing
Featured Customers | Andrii Slonchak Radiant Reefscapes
More Power, Smaller Package: Moving to Mirrorless with the Canon R7
Bryant Turffs' Set-Up Tips // Ikelite Underwater Housing for Canon R7 [VIDEO]
Canon R10 vs R7 // Best Crop Sensor for Underwater Photography [VIDEO]
Adapting Your Lighting Strategy Across Multiple Locations on the Trip-of-a-Lifetime
Andrii Slonchak is a research scientist in virology at the university in Brisbane, Australia. He began photography with a point-and-shoot in 2004 but didn't start start diving until 2013 and it took another eight years before he'd take a DSLR camera underwater. Now he's been diving hundreds of times all across the globe and enjoys continuing his passion of exploring and photographing the world underwater. Follow more of Andrii's adventures on Instagram @a.slonchak_photography.
